Manufacture of articles from molten carbon



Nov. 26, 1929. s. MUNCH 1,736,832

MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM MOLTEN CARBON Filed Feb. 24. 1926 p X A ePatented Nov. 26, 1929 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE SIEGMAR Munoz, orWOLFEN, KREIS BITTEBFELD, GERMANY, assronon TO I. o. rmnumnusrnmAK'IIENGESELLSGHAFT, or r'rmnxron'r, GERMANY murnoruan or anrronns raomINlIOLTEN cannon Application filed February 24, 1926,- Serial No.90,426, and in Germany J'une 30, 1925.

carbonby moving in a suitable manner relatively to each-other theelectrode which is.

undergoing fusion and the plate forming the counter electrode,preferably while contact is continuously maintained.

Owing to the extraordinary high fusion point of carbon the molten carbonsolidifies under suitable conditions so rapidly that the electrodeundergoing fusion can always be moved from a new place of contact on toone which has already been traversed and is covered with solidifiedcarbon or carbon which is still viscid. Thus new layers of carbon arebuilt up on the plate forming the counter electrode and in this mannerarticles of a desired shape may be made directly.

It is obvious that several electrodes undergoing fusion can be usedsimultaneously. It is also a matter of indifference whether theelectrode undergoing fusion or the counter electrode or both are subjectto movement. The process can be conducted with carbons of various originand properties and at atmospheric or super-atmospheric pressure, whetherin a closed chamber or in one through which a suitable gas is flowing.Articles made from fused carbon are useful in chemical and electricalindustries.

One method by which articles may beformed in accordance with thisinvention will be readily apparent fromthe accompanying drawing of whichFig. 1 represents a vertical section taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 2and Fig.. 2 represents a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Fig.1.

mounted a box I) which is also made of refracof a direct currentgenerator.

On a refractory foundation plate a is spring f and is connected to thepositive pole The movement of the-electrode d is accomplished by meansof the eccentric pulley mechanism e. The pressure with which theelectrode 0 w presses against the electrode 03 is such that continuouscontact is maintained and varies with the current strength and voltage.

The operation of the apparatus is obvious from a glance at the drawing.When the cir cuit is closed, the current causes the electrode 0 to meltslowly. The molten carbon, which consists of graphite, is spread out onthe electrode plate (Z by the movement of this electrode and onsolidification builds up a new 05 carbon body in the form of a plate.

The resulting graphite ischemically pure even when it results from acarbon of high ash content. It is of a foliated structure, the laminaeof which adhere together very wall. 10 It has a weak metallic luster, ahigh electric conductivity and is of low porosity.

What I claim is 1. A process for the production of fabricated articlesfrom molten carbon, which com- 76 prises melting carbon by passingelectric current through a pair of carbon electrodes while incontinuouscontact, and coating the surface of one of said electrodes with themolten carbon so formed by relatively moving the 80 electrodes.

2. As a new article of manufacture adaptable for use in chemical andelectrical industries, a fabricated carbon article of foliated structurecomposed of a plurality of adhering layers of graphitic carbon, saidarticle being produced by passing electric current through a pair ofcarbon electrodes while in continuous contact and coating the surface ofone of said electrodes with the molten carbon so formed by relativelymoving the electrodes.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SIEGMAR MllNCH.

tory material. A carbon electrode 0 projects into the box 6 through anopening in its top. This electrode is pressed against the movable carbonelectrode d by means of an ad]ustable

